Billie Joe did also say that he was largely impressed by U2's Elevation tour, the way they changed up eras and sounds at the drop of a hat, and how he'd like Green Day to get there someday. I think inspired by U2 might be a better word choice than influenced by.

Originally posted by UnforgettableLemon Billie Joe did also say that he was largely impressed by U2's Elevation tour, the way they changed up eras and sounds at the drop of a hat, and how he'd like Green Day to get there someday. I think inspired by U2 might be a better word choice than influenced by.

Originally posted by starvinmarvin Yes, a three piece band. That's what you call a band with one guitar, a bass, and drums. Most bands are four pieces, with 2 guitars (lead and rythmn), but Edge is so good that he can play both rythmn and lead guitar at the same time.

Green Day have an extra guitarist on stage so I wouldn't really class them as a three piece band. Edge does not play lead and rhythm at the same time either, there is blatantly an extra guitar in some songs (ABOY, One etc) and it is not Bono playing it even when he has a guitar. U2 have an "under the stage musician".

To say Green Day are copying U2 because of a video with a red screen is pretty ridiculous IMO.specially as the music sounds very different.
However I feel the arguments about Coldplay are trying to be U2 are justified though. Not because of one particular aspect of what they are doing but because if a culmination of factors. For example the video for "speed of sound"(the red screen and Chris Martin's "movements"), the edge influenced guitar on the album, Chris Martin trying to speak out on humanitarian issues (he even said he was trying to be like Bono). There a few more that don't come to mind. Now if Coldplay were just doing one of these things you would say that "U2 didn't come up with a red screen etc" but it is the fact that they are becoming so similar to U2 in so many ways that makes me think they want to be them. Now Green Day might have a red screen but their music sounds so different to U2 I don't think you could possibly say that they copied the red screen of U2 because "U2 didn't come up with the red screen"!!!

Green Day have an extra guitarist on stage so I wouldn't really class them as a three piece band. Edge does not play lead and rhythm at the same time either, there is blatantly an extra guitar in some songs (ABOY, One etc) and it is not Bono playing it even when he has a guitar. U2 have an "under the stage musician".

No U2 doesn't, they'll use backing tracks to accompany the lads now and again...........